Some Wilmington residents at hearing criticize police's use of force

Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 8:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at 8:52 p.m.

The mother of a 20-year-old man killed by Wilmington Police Department officers was among those who levied criticism at WPD on Tuesday night at a hearing about whether the department should retain its elite certification.

"I believe the police pre-determined their response, making themselves judge, jury and executioners to send a message of fear into the community," Robin Robinson said.

Robinson's son, 20-year-old Tevin Robinson, was one of three men shot by WPD officers in the parking lot of a 17th Street Pizza Hut last October after, police said, robbing the restaurant.

After a State Bureau of Investigation probe, New Hanover County District Attorney Ben David ruled that six WPD police officers were justified in firing on Robinson, Ronald Dashawn Roland, 19, and Jalani Smith, who was 20 at the time. Tevin Robinson and Roland were killed, while Smith was shot in the hand.

Robin Robinson wasn't the only person with harsh words about WPD's use of force to speak in front of representatives from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which calls itself "the gold standard in public safety."

The Wilmington Police Department was first certified by CALEA in November 2011, and Tuesday's hearing was part of the process to renew that credential.

"I've never seen this much force going on. Not even during the time of the riots," said Jacey Brown, a member of the New Hanover County chapter of the N.C. Black Leadership Caucus. "I commend whatever you're doing as far as the gangs in the city of Wilmington because … I do believe there's a decrease, but who's worse, the gangs or the police killing our kids?"

WPD officers used lethal force five times in 2013, according to an internal affairs report released Monday, up from no incidents in 2012. Furthermore, WPD officers displayed their weapons 81 times in 2013, up from 37 times in 2012.

By comparison, the use of tasers declined slightly in 2013, dropping to 66 total uses or displays from 73 total uses in 2012.

"The 119 percent increase in displaying lethal force can be attributed to Wilmington police being hyper vigilant," the report said. "In 2013 a task force officer was shot in one of the housing communities we patrol."

Not everyone who spoke at Tuesday's hearing was critical of the police department's efforts.

Wilmington Fire Department Chief Buddy Martinette also spoke, advocating for WPD's recertification and pointing to monthly breakfasts between police and fire department command staffs as an example of cooperation between the two entities.

"That's not something that any of us have to do," he said, "but quite frankly, we do it because we love this community and we want to see it be a better place."

Ilse Henagan, chairwoman of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, said WPD had worked with the residents of Sunset Park, her neighborhood, to help it go from one of the city's worst in terms of crime to one of its best.

"I did not intend to speak at first, but now I feel I have to," Henagan said. "Sometimes it's easy to blame the WPD for every wrong that goes on, but it takes the community to work with the police department to solve crimes. It is a two-way street. We cannot expect WPD to solve all our problems – city council has to step up and the community has to step up."

<p>The mother of a 20-year-old man killed by Wilmington Police Department officers was among those who levied criticism at WPD on Tuesday night at a hearing about whether the department should retain its elite certification.</p><p>"I believe the police pre-determined their response, making themselves judge, jury and executioners to send a message of fear into the community," Robin Robinson said.</p><p>Robinson's son, 20-year-old Tevin Robinson, was one of three men shot by WPD officers in the parking lot of a 17th Street Pizza Hut last October after, police said, robbing the restaurant.</p><p>After a State Bureau of Investigation probe, New Hanover County District Attorney <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic80"><b>Ben David</b></a> ruled that six WPD police officers were justified in firing on Robinson, Ronald Dashawn Roland, 19, and Jalani Smith, who was 20 at the time. Tevin Robinson and Roland were killed, while Smith was shot in the hand.</p><p>Robin Robinson wasn't the only person with harsh words about WPD's use of force to speak in front of representatives from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, which calls itself "the gold standard in public safety."</p><p>The Wilmington Police Department was first certified by CALEA in November 2011, and Tuesday's hearing was part of the process to renew that credential.</p><p>"I've never seen this much force going on. Not even during the time of the riots," said Jacey Brown, a member of the New Hanover County chapter of the N.C. Black Leadership Caucus. "I commend whatever you're doing as far as the gangs in the city of Wilmington because … I do believe there's a decrease, but who's worse, the gangs or the police killing our kids?"</p><p>WPD officers used lethal force five times in 2013, according to an internal affairs report released Monday, up from no incidents in 2012. Furthermore, WPD officers displayed their weapons 81 times in 2013, up from 37 times in 2012.</p><p>By comparison, the use of tasers declined slightly in 2013, dropping to 66 total uses or displays from 73 total uses in 2012.</p><p>"The 119 percent increase in displaying lethal force can be attributed to Wilmington police being hyper vigilant," the report said. "In 2013 a task force officer was shot in one of the housing communities we patrol."</p><p>Not everyone who spoke at Tuesday's hearing was critical of the police department's efforts. </p><p>Wilmington Fire Department Chief Buddy Martinette also spoke, advocating for WPD's recertification and pointing to monthly breakfasts between police and fire department command staffs as an example of cooperation between the two entities.</p><p>"That's not something that any of us have to do," he said, "but quite frankly, we do it because we love this community and we want to see it be a better place."</p><p>Ilse Henagan, chairwoman of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, said WPD had worked with the residents of Sunset Park, her neighborhood, to help it go from one of the city's worst in terms of crime to one of its best.</p><p>"I did not intend to speak at first, but now I feel I have to," Henagan said. "Sometimes it's easy to blame the WPD for every wrong that goes on, but it takes the community to work with the police department to solve crimes. It is a two-way street. We cannot expect WPD to solve all our problems – city council has to step up and the community has to step up."</p><p><i></p><p>Adam Wagner: 343-2096</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @AdamWagner1990</i></p>